Optical motion sensor and method for operating same

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a pair of optical components which are coupled together, with a light emitter generating light which is directed through an optical path onto a light detector, which generates an electrical output signal in response to the light directed onto it.
By coupling a resiliently supported mass to the optical path to modify the optical path in response to motion imposed upon the mass, the electrical signal will be affected (reduced or eliminated) as the mass moves and reduces the transmission of light in the optical path.
The heart of the present invention is accordingly the two optical components, namely a light emitter and a light detector.
Referring first to FIGS.
1 through 3, a mass base member 40 is illustrated.
Located in the center of the top surface of the mass base member 40 are two spaced-apart cylindrical apertures 42 and 44, as best shown in FIG.
1.
The apertures 42 and 44 will be used to mount a mass member (not illustrated in FIGS.
1 through 3) onto the top surface of the mass base member 40.
Located on the right and left sides, respectively, of the mass base member 40 (as seen in FIG.
1) are two U-shaped recesses 46 and 48.
Each of the U-shaped recesses 46 and 48 will be used to receive a resilient support band (not shown in FIGS.
1 through 3) therein.
Referring next to FIGS.
4 through 6, a mass member 50 of a first embodiment is illustrated which is L-shaped in cross-section, as best illustrated in the side view of FIG.
4.
Two cylindrical pins 52 and 54 are centrally located and extend from the bottom of the lower leg of the L of the mass member 50 in spaced-apart relationship.
The pins 52 and 54 are sized and spaced to fit into the apertures 42 and 44 in the top surface of the mass base member 40 (FIG.
1) in a manner such that the bottom surface of the lower leg of the L of the mass member 50 encloses the top sides of the U-shaped recesses 46 and 48 (FIG.
1) in the mass base member 40